Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-08-03
I'd EDITION.
--latest kilograms to The Star.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
Annual Address Of George william
Curtis 60 the I.envue nj NeunOrt.

A0H~oA AOUFess Oh George William
Curtis 60 the LeAgne At Newport.
NEWPORT, X l., August 3.-The session OF the
National Civil-Service Reform league was opened
Win public meeting at IL am. George William
Gurus delivered his annual address MI. Curtis
commsncsd MS address by quoting MI. uncolns
fail; without public sentiment nothing can sue
ceeo, ana referred to the growth Of public senti-
ment In the matter OF civil-serv1ce reform.
IN REFERENCE TO THE FUTURE
ne said tine possible success OF the democratic
party IN the election OF next year undoubtedly de-
Is Identified IN the public mind with the cause OF
ton! ton that II the fsssidsnt should sI Ies:
he has declared, and ''i Which p he honestly
cherishes, and should frankly announce that the
vice, which regret to say has taken place under
nus administration, is due to change Of convtc
tlon upon his part In favor of the spos system, he
Wouto De abandoned by so large body OF citi-
zens as to bring his reelection into serious peril"
he referred to the passage OF the bill allowing
examination, by the Massachusetts legislature,
ana the request OF Gov. Hill for the resignation Of
oae New YORK State Civil-Service commissioners,
he said: " -"'' N'0'0'Anu "''1n'i'''' "''0n
five months OF its existence, While the reform law
has been respected within it's limited range, and
Mnle mere are unquestionable and encouraging
signs OF progress, yet, according TO information
which Is undoubtedly authentic, there has been
VERY SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN THE CIVIL SERVICE.
In some OF the Departments at Washington this
Is less apparent than elsewhere. But in a survey
OF the whole service there has been almost as
piete change as was practicable, since entirely
new force OF totally Inexperienced officers would
nave prevented the regular transaction OF the
public business.
practically, repeat, there has been a very gen.
eral partisan reconstruction OF the national civil
service. But while such a change was the I'M
doubted desire and expectation OF a large and i'm
"a of
the polls, do not believe that it was desired or
anticipated by the intelligent sentiment OF the
country"
IN BHEALF OF THE PRESIDENT.
He does not charge the whole responsibility for
This upon the President who, he says, ''has I'M
doubtediy believed that unbending fidelity to re-
form would lead to the rupture Of his party, the
alienation OF Its majority in the House OF Repre-
Isolation and total inability to serve reform or any
other good cause or TO make his administration
truly useful TO his country
''The trouble" says Mr. Curtis sis not that an
polntments have been unfit so much as that re-
moValS We're not required by reform. 1t must be
remembered that the substitution OF fit demo-
crat for ut republican, merely for the reason
1t ne IS democrat, Is the very evil that reform
PARTING WORD.
In conclusion Mr.. Curtis said: 'That cause is al
| ways safe which is in sympathy with great moral
forces, with the common sense and Intelligence OF
the people, with the earnest faith and patriotic
purpose or youth, with the lessons or experience
anu with the convictions OF wise and pure states
men; ana KNOW no cause in this country OF
winch this may be more truly said than OF civil
service reform"
Mr. CURTIS REELECTED PRESIDENT.
business meeting was held, and Mr.. George
William Curtis was unanimously reelected presi-
7 dent, and accepted the Office in few brief re-
| marks. Reports from the various associations
were made Mr. Montgomery, Of Pennsylvania
detalied the controversy with the postmaster OF
PRnladelphia over the examinations In Office Mr.
Dorman B. Eaton inquired If there was proof that
out or 1914 appointments In the postoff1ce OF phil
adelphia 1872 were democrats
MI. montgomery replied that canvass made by
tne association showed that this was true Mr.
story reported for Massachusetts,. 1t was obvious
that nothing Is to be gained there from either
parry: Mr. Grover, OF Chicago, reported his asso-
1--WE condition. The association Is convinced Of
the necesrlty or some restriction in the power Of
removal.
SOMETHING ABOUT HIGGINS.
Mr. Bonaparte OF Baltimore, was called upon to
tell something about Higgins. He thought. how
ever that Higgins might be left alone until the re-
port OF the committee on the resolution was re-
ceived, as he would probably form large part OF
the report. He heard 1t suggested that President
awful example, and had selected the federal
system OF Maryland as that example. II so he
thought the experiment had been successful
lows:
The National Civil Service Reform League
While acknowledging the many excellent appoint
| frequent Instances OF executive disregards of
merely partisan demands, and conspicuous
Instances OF the retention of satisfac-
Tory ofhcerS during their terms has
yet learned with profound regret that the change
In the civil service Is so great as to forecast It's
complete partisan reconstruction by the close OF
the administration. The league does not be-
lleve such change to have been required nor
Justlned by the public desire or expectation.